Titles reviewed by Library readers and staff
By Debra Magpie Earling
Very fluid, poetic writing, engaging story, current Native American themes. I liked the way it changes from first person narrative to third person writing style.
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By Lewis Hancox
The author has told a complex story well. He has described the hell of high school for kids that don’t fit the norm. The main character was likeable–it was easy to follow their personal journey. The graphic novel format made it work even better. –Sheila Nelsen Amado
This is a story that needs to be told and HEARD! It was a great graphic novel–funny and honest. It needs a content warning: eating disorders, transphobia. –S.J.
By Laura Best
Well written, engaging, easy book for reading before sleep.
Available through Prospector.
By Sajni Patel
What a time-and-space-and-culture transporting into the culture of Indian-Americans! Age-old heritage merged with modern life–keeping the best of both. Steeped in love, family, tradition–and amazing foods, clothing, and continuity of cultural institutions. Recommended. –Cathy Grace
Great book for young adults with teen romance and Indian culture. I liked learning about details of an Indian wedding. I got a better understanding of the challenges of having a traditionl Indian family and living in the U.S. –Jonna F.
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By Katie Cicatelli-Kuc
YA – OMG, this took me right back to the chaos and uncertainty of early Pandemic times–and with a teenager! The author captures the crazy spectrum of emotions we’ve all experienced due to Covid and explores relationships (friend, family, and romantic) impacted by the uncertainty, fear, and inner growth nurtured by the extraordinary period in our lives…The book is a window into the nature and allure of social media too. Illuminating!
By Mick Herron
The writing is hilarious. Plot is simple, but there are so many characters that the plot becomes incomprehensible until the midpoint of the book. The writing was the best part of the book, for instance, “As a result of the blast ‘the black door was shaken, not stirred.'” Staff meeting: “The first half hour lasted just short of twice that long.” I would ‘sort of’ recommend this book.
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By Mary Kay Andrews
It was predictable, not well written, but had enough of a mindless hook that I read the entire book–like a bag of chips. Surprising it was a NYT bestseller.
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By Lewis Hancox
Funny, sad, and everything in between. Feels like an honest portrayal of a trans teen’s journey to happiness. It’s British, so replete with Brit vocabulary and culture. Once I got used to it, I enjoyed that!
By Courtney Kae
As the author explained, she just wanted to read a simple Hallmark-type romance–but with gay characters. So she wrote one! I liked the small town setting, and all its positives and negatives. –Cathy Grace
A fun take on the second chance trope, with plenty of attitude, set in a small town complete with its own Lumberjane. –Kay Turnbaugh
Available through Prospector.
By Robert Reuland
This is a good story, a fun (and accurate) mocking of the judicial system. Several backstories were cleverly woven into the plot. I really enjoyed it, although the ending was a bit weak.
Available through Prospector
By Ada Calhoun
I enjoy reading the memoirs of writers and liked the anecdotes about Frank O’Hara.
[Ada Calhoun, the daughter of celebrated art critic Peter Schjeldahl, traces her fraught relationship with her father and their shared obsession with a great poet.]
By Ed Davis
Nice quick read, not the most riveting book, but interesting storyline. The characters were unique, and it seems to tell a fairly accurate tale of a rather unknown lifestyle.
By Sally Hepworth
An interesting story told by Fern, a librarian, and also by Rose, her sister, via diary. They are twins. Fern decides to have a baby because Rose desperately wants one, but cannot conceive. An intriguing read and story that kept me engaged. Not my typical read, but the story was interesting.
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By Cameron Hanes
Very masculine and shallow. The book lacks meat and substance. I liked the layout with photos and multi-media.
By David R. Gillham
Captivating, although the content was disturbing. It made you really want to understand. So well written, a female character by a male author. My favorite part was the details and descriptions of everything: art, environments. I could see and feel them.
Available through Prospector
By Leanne Simpson
It was hard to follow due to words in a different language, not knowing if a character was human or animal or spirit, and the choppy flow of poetry/narrative. I’m not sure if I would recommend it, but I liked the storytelling of indigenous people.
By Mary Kay Andrews
A little bit of romance, a little bit of suspense…the perfect “beach read.” I liked the characters! They cover all three age ranges: seniors, 30-somethings, pre-school!
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By Julia May Jonas
It was intelligent and dealt with aging/sex/power social issues, some interesting observations. That being said, I was relieved when it was over.
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By Ranae Lemor Hanson
Poetic, flowing story in a strong voice with an important message: the intertwining of physical disease and planetary disease, tying all things to water.
By Sally Hepworth
I liked the discussion of sensory processing and the sister relationship. I’m 1 of 4 sisters.
By John A. Daly
It was a great story. Well written. –Anonymous
Reads like a soap opera. I would not recommend it. –Susan Gerhart
Other books by John A. Daly available from NCL: From a Dead Sleep, Blood Trade
By Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Another good one by this duo! Put together a renegade therapist and unconventional methods, plus two people who might or might not be what they appear…devoured it! It was completely absorbing and fun to get lost in a book, to tear myself away as necessary and then count the time ’til I could get back to it. –Cathy Grace
Such a fun story! Love 1st person! Grabbed me into it on the first page. Great writing. Marisa and Avery were great female protagonists. –Anonymous reader
By G.D. Falksen
What’s not to like about a teen-aged autistic girl who follows her curiosity and ends up a spy? I loved the character of Kitty; learned some interesting things about autism traits. And it had me on the edge of my seat!
By Ed Davis
This book gave me a glimpse of a different life–that of hobos riding freights. The characters were well-drawn; great illustrations.
By Sally Hepworth
Engaging characters, each with secrets. Who to believe?? I liked the short chapters and that, combined with the story, made it compulsively readable.
By Jonathan Evison
Great story, compelling characters I cared about. Interweaving of story of women during the Ice Age, some redemption at the end. I liked the interweaving of the stories of Bella and S’tka. Beautifully done.
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By Eden Robinson
A first-person narrative story of a young First Nations girl/woman growing up in British Columbia, in the late 1900s. Published in 2000. The story jumps through time, like the magical, poetic writing style. Sparse language, descriptive and lush. Robinson has published a recent trilogy. I would love to have them available to read.
By Adrian Shirk
Stinko. Too academic, wandering. I like learning about Utopian communities, but this was boring.
By Tom Clavin
Very informative, nothing like it for my library, although I would suggest simplifying expressions and a two-part book, part I for Childhood and learning to fly, and Part II for prisoner of war.
By John Hart
Typical John Hart who is a good storyteller. Painful look at VietNam. Great packaging!
By Katherine Seligman
Narrator’s perspective was unique–a homeless person–but plot and characters were flat. Felt like a worthless day n the life. The book really humanized homeless people. We often walk by them without a glance. I would possibly recommend it for a YA audience.
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By Jennifer Richard Jacobson
It kind of related to what was happening to me. My favorite part was when Twig was trying to fix the problem, big dog/tiny house.
By Diane Chamberlain
The writing is good, and the topic important. I had a hard time empathizing with Ellie due to the way she contributed to Win’s death. Ellie came across as a clueless, entitled white girl/woman who should have known better and not put Win’s life in jeopardy.
By Patricia Engel
A well written and engaging story from multiple perspectives about immigration, legal and not, so very timely. I liked it because of the blending of local conditions in Colombia with person experience of migration and insight into that experience.
By Marie Benedict
OK, it’s pretty much a given that I would pick up a historical novel about a librarian… But this is so captivating! The woman who curated JP Morgan’s library was a fascinating character, a woman excelling in the “man’o world” of manuscript acquisition. And she had and lived with a huge secret her whole life! She was black, passing as white. Such a vital story today, too.
By Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
I loved the storytelling-by-letter format. The book was (surprise!) so much better than the movie.
By Naomi Hirahara
I love historical fiction, and this was the first time I’d read about the treatment of the Japanese during WWII. I loved the way she developed the characters. The “bad guys” were really the “good guys” and vice versa!
By Bill Clinton and James Patterson
It’s a big book but fast reading. Great for a lazing day on the deck!
By Louis Sachar
(Children)
One of my favorite books. Quick, silly, and sometimes insightful vignettes about students and teachers at Wayside, a school that was built sideways so it’s 30 stories tall. (The builder said he was very sorry.) Great for bedtime, read-alouds, or children who like quick, funny reads!
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By Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
(Juvenile)
Another really good fantasy series, full of action and adrenaline. These books are really entertaining to read!
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By Michelle Gallen
Didn’t care for the style. The author used dashes instead of quotation marks. Reading in Irish isn’t my thing.
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By Sue Monk Kidd (narrator for audio book: Jenna Lamia)
Poetic prose and tragically lovely. Depicts strong, independent women.
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I listened to this while on a road trip. It was great! NPR-style stories that inform, entertain, and add dimension. Lots of fun!
(Patty agrees!)
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By Carter Wilson
It’s not going to be one of the New York Times best books of the year, but it may be one of the ten best mysteries. The characters were interesting and engaging.
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By Megan Goldin
This book scared me from the first page. Look for it to be a 2020 Edgar nominee.
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By Sara Gruen
Sara Gruen has a unique way of entering the reader right into her story with both great dialogue and descriptive words. This story leaves you struggling with personal feelings toward its characters and guessing where the story will end. A book quite difficult to put down.
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By Janet Robertson
An enduring classic, celebrating women adventurers here in Colorado. Check out my grandmother (Harriet Vaille Bouck) and great aunt (Agnes Vaille) who both left a legacy that endures today on Rocky Mountain National Park and, in particular, Longs Peak. Woman power!
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By Sally Hepworth
It’s a little reminiscent of The Rosie Project: quirky, but with a DARK side. It kept me guessing!
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By Therese Ann Fowler
A story of two families on a collision course. It explores class, race, and their effects on two young people trying to navigate their own feelings. Excellent read!
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By Tracy Chevalier
A moving story of an unusual female friendship, on the brink of God-created vs. evolution.
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By Ray Bradbury
Amazing story! One of the best dystopians I have ever read and will not disappoint!
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By Ben Aaronovitch
#7 in the Rivers of London police procedural/magician stories/series. Two little girls have gone missing–have they been kidnapped by the fairies? Excellent series!
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By Diane Chamberlain
Very unusual plot, a few too many coincidences but fascinating. Lots of details about art, restoration of art and about the South. Excellent use of situation-appropriate idioms as the time changed from 1939 to 2018. It’s nice to have a book mainly about good people.
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By Diane Chamberlain
An art student has an opportunity to get out of prison to restore Anna Dale’s 1940s mural. Mysterious questions arise at every turn and make this novel a page turner!
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By Don Stilson
Did you know Don? Sadly, he died in 2017. But through this newly-published book of stories, you can get acquainted and see what/who you missed.
The stories are classified as fiction, but ring true in many ways and carry a lot of truth, as well as the flavor of our area and of the lifestyle of a modern cattle-raising couple. Ranging from laugh-out-loud funny to throat-lump poignant, every story is a winner.
Set during the Cold War with dual timelines of 1940 and 1952, this thriller stars twin sisters, two indomitable women whose foe is also a woman. It’s unusual for spy novels to feature this many women, and that, by itself, makes it a fascinating read.
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By Willy Vlautin
This is classic Vlautin—a deeply realistic, empathetic, and depressing life in current America. A thin thread of hope wins the story.
Love Lynette’s gumption and determination. True and sparse prose is a quick read as style matches plot.
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By Anna North